Our mission is to provide education programs and build supportive communities to empower females to be involved in sport and adventure throughout life.
From Antarctica
to the World
Born from extraordinary endeavours…
EmpowerHer Sport is inspired by the incredible success of the Run Antarctica project, led by Dr. Donna Urquhart, medical researcher, Australian ultra-distance runner and Guinness World Record Holder.
Empowering females through sport •
The numbers speak for themselves
By the age of 15, more than 50% of girls drop out of sport and participation rates decline rapidly. By the age of 30 only 7% of women participate in sport.
Figure 1. Female Sport Participation Rate by Age Cohort
Sport participation in Victoria 2105-2022 - Research Summary. www.vichealth.vic.gov.au
We Exist
to raise awareness about females’ experience of sport, to provide education on a holistic approach to sport and life, and to build supportive communities with our charity partners.
We Believe
that sport has the power to change lives, and that we must help young females overcome the barriers that contribute to the large drop out rates in adolescence.
We Aspire
to transform the lives of young female athletes by empowering them to reach their full potential, believe in their dreams, and develop a holistic toolbox of coping skills to help them overcome barriers and thrive in tough times.
Why do girls
drop out of sport?
Australian and international research and reports have identified multiple factors that are barriers to female participation in sport.
Physical Barriers
- Pain
- Injury
- Physical Limitations
Emotional Barriers
- Fear of Failure
- Pressure to Perform
- Judgment
Mental Barriers
- Low Confidence
- Body Image Issues
- Self-Doubt
Social Barriers
- Peer pressure
- Stereotypes
- Harassment
Overcoming barriers and empowering lives
Sport enables females to develop physical, mental, emotional, and social skills, enhancing their enjoyment, participation, and performance in sport, while promoting overall health and wellbeing.
Together, we can:
Educate communities about the barriers that lead to the drop-out of female athletes and the benefits of staying involved in sports.
Develop evidence-based programs to help young girls build mental and physical skills to overcome these barriers.
Contributing to the body of research that identifies the best strategies for keeping girls in sport.
Collaborating with coaches, teachers, parents, and volunteers to create environments where every girl feels supported and valued.
“You dream. You plan. You reach. There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work. with belief, with confidence and trust in yourself and those around you, there are no limits”
— Michael Phelps
The next steps...
We are pioneering a holistic approach to sport. We believe that in order to thrive in sport we must develop not just physical skills but complement this with mental, emotional and social skills.
The combined economic, health and education benefits of sport returns $7 for every $1 invested.
The Value And Benefits Of Sport
www.clearinghouseforsport.gov.au
Real stories
Take the first step in empowering the next generation
We invite you to be a part of this transformative journey. Together, we can create a future where every young girl has the opportunity to thrive in sport and life.